Bulletin – November 23, 2014

ADVENT MISSION

“God is with us”: Bringing hope to those living in darkness

Saturday, December 6th from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM

NOT TO BE MISSED – reflection with Fr. Rick Frechette CP on our Christian commitment that will be both inspiring and enriching!

Father Rick is a Passionist who went to Haiti 27 years ago to serve as a priest. Seeing the poverty and the dire need of the people there for medical care, he went back to the U.S. in his 30s, took up medical studies, and returned to Haiti as both a priest and a medical doctor. The needs of the people whom he served prompted him to give himself to their service by not only ministering to their spiritual needs, but their physical needs as well. His presence among the people of Haiti is truly an amazing witness of love.

At the beginning of the season of Advent, when we are preparing for Christmas, Fr. Rick will talk about our Christian commitment to share the Good News, especially with those who are living in the darkness of poverty, injustice, and slavery in its many forms. It will be an excellent opportunity for all parishioners to pause and look deeply. We encourage especially our young people to join us!

A simple lunch will be provided. Cost is $5 per person. To register, please call the Parish Office at (416) 221-8866 or email fatimalee@bellnet.ca.

A Note on Donations To Fr. Rick’s Mission in Haiti

We have also been asked if there is a way to donate to Fr. Rick’s mission in Haiti. If you are so inclined, and would like to contribute to Fr. Rick’s work, there will be a donation box at the back of the church on the day of the retreat itself, as well as at all the Masses on the weekend of Dec 6th/7th. You can donate either in cash or by cheque. Please note any cheque must be made payable to “Passionist Missionaries”. They will issue tax receipts for all donations of $20 or more. Please also make sure you write clearly your name and address on the envelope provided.

YOUTH GROUP BAKE SALE

Sunday, November 23rd after all the Masses

Our Youth Group is holding a bake sale after all the Masses this Sunday. The money raised will go towards Youth Group expenses as well as helping two youth attend a service trip to the Philippines. Please support our Youth Group.

WELCOME! BAPTISM

The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome
Arianna Lara Moncica
Charlotte Rose Kilayko Sleep
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism last Sunday. Congratulations

NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH OF ALL SOULS

BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

A Book of Remembrance has been placed on the altar for the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends in the book. They will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated in November.

GIFTS FOR ROSALIE HALL

For many years, St Gabriel’s has had a close relationship with Rosalie Hall. At this time of the year, we are thinking of the young mothers and babies in need of assistance.

If you wish, to help, you may choose a “Christmas Stocking” from the Christmas tree in the Gathering Space to purchase pyjamas or undershirts, for little ones sizes 6 months to 4years.

If you wish to buy a toy, please take a”Gingerbread Boy” tag.

Unwrapped items with the original tag attached can be left in the box provided near the Giving Tree no later than December 14th.

For the Moms, we are suggesting gift cards from Shoppers Drug Mart, Tim Horton’s, Walmart or MacDonald’s. These can be placed in the envelopes provided and brought to the Parish Office. Thank you for your ongoing support of Rosalie Hall.

THE GIVING TREE

During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul will have a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space.

The tree will be decorated with gift tags. Each tag will have the gender and age of a child. We invite you to take a tag, buy a gift of about $25.00 for that child and return the unwrapped gift, with the tag attached, to the box provided in the Gathering Space. If you are a knitter, there will be mitten tags. Please take one and return mitts to the box in the Gathering Space.

CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. More volunteers are needed to help feed the hungry in our city.

You may pick up a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan from the Parish Office.

Three recipes are also available on St. Gabriel’s web site. Please remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole. For more information, you may contact Irene Albrecht at
416 221-2791.

HOPE FOR CHILDREN CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE

We are having a Christmas Toy Drive for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society.

Can you help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child 0 to12 years old? Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church from Saturday, November 29th until Sunday, December 14th.

NORTH YORK RETIREES CLUB

Blessed Trinity Parish Hall
Tuesday, November 25th at 2:00 PM

The next meeting of the North York Retiree’s will feature guest speaker Christopher Rollox from Gemini K9 Obedience who will speak about “Dealing with dogs, training, care and obedience”. All retirees are cordially invited to attend.

THE SOURCE WITH THE SISTERS OF LIFE

Thursday, November 27th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM

St. Paul’s Basilica 83 Power St.Toronto

Join them for an evening of prayer and fellowship. There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with meditative music provided by the sisters from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the main chapel. Confessions will be available from 8:00 to 9:00 PM. There will be refreshments and fellowship in the hall downstairs. They hope to see you there!

NEW BEGINNINGS ADVENT RETREAT

Catholic Family Services of Toronto – New Beginnings and St. Norbert’s Church invite you to a Saturday Advent Retreat with Christine Rybka-Miki, M.Div. and Maureen McDonnell, D.Min.

This Advent, rediscover the wealth that our faith tradition and Ignatian contemplative prayer has to offer us as we wait in abiding hope. All are welcome! Light lunch will be provided.

Pre-registration is necessary.

Please call Mary Benincasa at 416-921-1163, ext. 2235.

SNEAK PEEK ORCHESTRA PRESENTS: “ELEGIES AND REMEMBRANCE”

Sunday November 30th at 4:00 PM

St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish

“Sneak Peek Orchestra is back, and excited to present a remembrance-themed concert featuring the music of Edward Elgar, and others. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, and $15 for students. To purchase advance tickets, please visit www.sneakpeekorchestra.com. We hope to see you there!

FINANCE CORNER

The Parish’s 2013 budgeted operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

If you are a regular Parish member and you do not contribute to the Offertory collection, the Finance Council reminds you that “the financial burden of the Parish is the responsibility of each and all parishioners to the extent that your means allow”.

For those parishioners who contribute to the offertory on a regular weekly basis, we thank you for your constant support.

PRE-AUTHORIZED GIVING OPTION

The “Pre-Authorized Giving” Plan (PAG), authorized and supported by the Archdiocese of Toronto, is a direct debit program. It allows parishioners to make their regular offertory donations by automatic monthly bank withdrawal on or about the 20th of each month. Participation in the PAG provides a regular dependable cash flow of contributions to the parish and enables us to better manage the Parish finances. PAG brochures and sign-up forms are available in the Parish Office and on the tables at the back of the Church.

DONATE NOW

You can now use your credit card to make your recurring or one-time Offertory donations to St. Gabriel’s. Your donations may earn you valuable points, travel miles or cash back! A classic case of giving and receiving!

Remember that your tax receipt for a recurring offertory donation will be issued to you by the Archdiocese at the end of the year. For a one-time gift, your tax receipt is emailed to you immediately.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2015

The 2015 Offertory Boxed Envelopes will be available in the Gathering Space at the end of November. Please inform the Parish Office if you have recently moved or are new to the Parish so that we may update our records and label your box correctly.

If you have a PAG or Donate Now account, you will still receive a smaller green box of envelopes since these include Initial, New Year’s, Christmas, Easter and Maintenance envelopes. You may contact the Parish Office if you do not have envelopes but would like a box for 2015.

If you are moving out of the Parish or have a change of address, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 so that we can update our records. Thank you.

Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.